Which nonfiction genre teaches the reader a process?(1 point)

Responses

biography

humor

history

how-to

how-to

The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique.

There is a smart solution to the ongoing problem of oil spills the industry should use.

contrast

description

real

Much like background music, little earthquakes tremor underground without much notice.

to show how remembering something is not as important as understanding it

Guys don’t copy not all is right thanks to that idiot…

Reading Informational Text Unit Test

2 of 152 of 15 Items
Question
Use the paragraph to answer the question.

The platypus is an Australian mammal that is not easily classified. It is one of only two mammals (the other being the echidna) that bears young by laying eggs. In some respects, the platypus resembles a duck; both have webbed feet and bills. The platypus has a tail like a beaver’s and a furry body similar to an otter’s. Its unusual hybrid of body parts makes it well-suited for its largely aquatic life. The platypus uses its webbed feet to paddle through water, and its tail serves as a kind of rudder for steering. While underwater, the platypus uses its bill to scoop up bits of food, such as insects and shellfish, from the water’s bottom. The platypus also scoops up bits of gravel, which grind up the food, as the platypus is toothless. The platypus stores the food and gravel in its cheeks until it reaches the water’s surface. Once the platypus surfaces, it consumes its meal.

Which sentence describes the main idea?

(1 point)
Responses

The platypus lives in Australia.
The platypus lives in Australia.

The platypus uses an interesting method to consume its meals.
The platypus uses an interesting method to consume its meals.

The platypus has features similar to an otter and a beaver.
The platypus has features similar to an otter and a beaver.

The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique.

Reading Informational Text Unit Test

3 of 153 of 15 Items

Question
Use the paragraph to answer the question.

It happens way too often: oil leaking from wells beneath the ocean or tankers spilling their cargo into the waves. One disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, called the Tyler spill, has been leaking hundreds of barrels of oil per day into the ocean for the past 14 years. While safety has not been made a priority, something can be done to clean up oil spills that does not involve pouring chemical cleanup agents into the already polluted waters. The question is, when will the oil industry embrace this effective, safe method?

Which sentence best summarizes the text?

(1 point)
Responses

The oil industry needs to work more more efficiently.
The oil industry needs to work more more efficiently.

There is a smart solution to the ongoing problem of oil spills the industry should use.
There is a smart solution to the ongoing problem of oil spills the industry should use.

There is no reason that oil spills occur as often as they do.
There is no reason that oil spills occur as often as they do.

The oil industry should focus on the fastest way to clean up oil spills

Many people believe a European named Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. However, Gutenberg’s press was actually building on inventions that appeared centuries earlier in China.

What is the connection between the ideas in these sentences?

(1 point)
Responses

comparison
comparison

cause and effect
cause and effect

contrast
contrast

problem and solution

A Buddhist book called The Diamond Sutra, printed around 868 C.E., is the oldest known printed book. It was printed using page-sized panels of wood blocks. These blocks were carved by hand with Chinese characters shown in reverse.

Which word or phrase describes the relationship between the ideas in the sentences?

(1 point)
Responses

problem and solution
problem and solution

contrast
contrast

description
description

cause and effect

Reading Informational Text Unit Test

6 of 156 of 15 Items

Question
Use the paragraph to answer the question.

All around the world, millions of people watch hundreds of new movies each year. Most people are aware that these movies have actors and actresses, directors, stunt doubles, and camera operators. But have you ever wondered how the crack of a bat in a baseball scene sounds so authentic even though the camera must be dozens of feet away?

Which word means the same as authentic as it is used in the paragraph?

(1 point)
Responses

distant
distant

boring
boring

real
real

fast

Reading Informational Text Unit Test

7 of 157 of 15 Items

Question
Use the paragraph to answer the question.

You may not think earthquakes and volcanoes can go together, but they are unlikely friends, creating sensations under the earth’s surface. Most earthquakes occur because of the movement of tectonic plates previously described. Sometimes earthquakes happen below a volcano. This happens because magma, which is hot molten rock beneath the earth’s surface, pushes on rock until it breaks the rock and seeps into it. Then, the magma builds more pressure until it leaks more magma into the crack. Little earthquakes happen each time the rock breaks and lets in more magma. These little earthquakes are too small to feel. They are called harmonic tremors, perhaps because of their constant release of energy, like one long song played underground.

What does the analogy "they are called harmonic tremors, perhaps because of their constant release of energy, like one long song played underground" from the paragraph mean?

(1 point)
Responses

Much like background music, little earthquakes tremor underground without much notice.
Much like background music, little earthquakes tremor underground without much notice.

The same amount of energy is released by music and small earthquakes.
The same amount of energy is released by music and small earthquakes.

When little earthquakes occur, they make sounds similar to music.
When little earthquakes occur, they make sounds similar to music.

The tremors from small earthquakes follow unpredictable patterns, unlike musical meter.

Why would a student include an allusion to Albert Einstein, an accomplished scientist with a famously bad memory, in a paper about how people learn?(1 point)

Responses

to show that memorization is important when learning something new
to show that memorization is important when learning something new

to show that memorization is important to everyone
to show that memorization is important to everyone

to show how famous people are remembered
to show how famous people are remembered

to show how remembering something is not as important as understanding it

"Mary is such a quiet child," said Aunt Lydia. "It makes me wonder what will become of her."

Which word would give the sentence a negative tone if it replaced the word quiet?

(1 point)
Responses

sullen
sullen

disciplined
disciplined

calm
calm

reserved

sullen

Reading Informational Text Unit Test

10 of 1510 of 15 Items

Question
Use the paragraph to answer the question.

The crowd gathered around a chain-link fence and waited for the show to begin. The artist approached the large tree stump and powered up his chainsaw with a loud roar. Everyone was startled even though they knew the sound was coming. Swinging the saw in rhythmic motions and lunging forward to make quick stabs at the wood, the artist began to create an image. The people in the crowd turned their heads and squinted their eyes, trying to make out what shape the sculpture would take. Time passed quickly and the buzz of the saw dominated the scene for most of the afternoon. Then, just as the evening light softened the forest, the artist set down his saw and touched the face of the giant grizzly bear with his bare hand.

Which piece of evidence from the paragraph supports the inference that the artist is inspired by nature?

(1 point)
Responses

He likes to be hands-on with his work.
He likes to be hands-on with his work.

He carves animals out of wood.
He carves animals out of wood.

He performs in front of a crowd.
He performs in front of a crowd.

His work requires physical strength.

He carves animals out of wood.

What is the most likely purpose for writing an explanatory article in third-person point of view that includes many facts and details about a topic?(1 point)

Responses

to express an opinion
to express an opinion

to entertain the reader
to entertain the reader

to persuade
to persuade

to inform

to inform

Most forest fires and wildfires are natural. They clear away debris, old brush, and dying trees, leaving heartier trees better able to grow. In fact, some trees only produce seeds when heated by fire. If a wildfire removes thick shrubs and undergrowth, the water supply increases, which helps other plants and local animals. Fire may also kill predatory insects or pests that live on and damage otherwise healthy trees.

In two sentences, in easy words, identify the main idea and at least one supporting detail of this paragraph.

Main idea: Forest fires and wildfires have natural ecological benefits.

Supporting detail: Forest fires clear away debris, brush, and dying trees, allowing heartier trees to grow better.

What are nudibranch? Only some of the most colorful sea creatures on Earth! These marine mollusks boast a variety of unique shapes and colors, and they live anywhere in the world's oceans, from the tropics to Antarctica. There are many different types of nudibranchs, some no longer than an inch, and some as long as two feet! Some use toxic appendages to defend themselves, while others use camouflage. Some even make their own chemicals to keep predators at bay. Why do nudibranchs have these defenses? Because they are naked! Nudibranch means "naked gills," so named for their soft bodies and their exposed gills, which sit atop their backs. While common to the ocean, these unusual creatures can be spotted on underwater dives.

In 2–3 sentences, summarize the information in the paragraph.

Nudibranchs are colorful and diverse marine mollusks found in oceans around the world. They come in various shapes and sizes, with some being as small as an inch and others reaching up to two feet in length. Nudibranchs have developed different defensive mechanisms, such as toxic appendages and camouflage, to protect themselves from predators.

In 3–5 sentences, in easy words, describe a character that is stingy with money and dishonest. Include allusions to Scrooge and Pinocchio or two other suitable, well-known allusions in your response. (4 points)

Meet Mr. Greedyguts, a character who is as tight-fisted with money as Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol" and as dishonest as Pinocchio with his long nose. Mr. Greedyguts never wants to spend a penny and will do anything, just like Scrooge, to keep all the money for himself. He lies so much and is so dishonest that his nose could grow longer just like Pinocchio's whenever he tells a fib. In fact, Mr. Greedyguts has earned a reputation as the real-life Scrooge and Pinocchio combined, making him the embodiment of stinginess and deceit.

The current state of Castle Park is a disgrace to our community. Ten years ago, community groups came together to give our children a safe place to play. Today, the wooden structure rots, the chains on the swing set rust, and garbage covers the ground. The city government refuses to take responsibility for restoring the structure, yet it will not allow concerned citizens to make their own repairs. Our children deserve a safe, clean, functional play space. The city council’s inaction has turned a gem of the park system into yet another public junkyard.

In 3–5 sentences, in easy words identify and explain words in the letter that create a negative tone. Support your answer with details from the text.

(4 points)

The words and phrases in the letter that create a negative tone are "disgrace," "rots," "rust," "garbage," "refuses," "junkyard," and "inaction." These words imply that the current state of Castle Park is terrible, with the structure falling apart, the swing set in poor condition, and the ground covered in garbage. Additionally, the mention of the city government refusing to take responsibility and not allowing concerned citizens to make repairs adds to the negative tone, suggesting negligence and a lack of care for the community's needs.